Washington, D.C. — Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Scott Peters (CA-50) introduced the Removing Emissions to Mend Our Vulnerable Earth (REMOVE) Act, legislation to enact a whole-of-government approach to study and produce carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technology to prevent global temperatures from rising above 1.5°C from pre-industrial levels. The bill directs federal agencies to include the development of CDR as part of their annual budget requests and ensure this work is coordinated across the federal government. 

Full bill text is available here.

According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS), emission reduction alone cannot stop global temperatures from rising substantially above pre-industrial levels. The Intergovernmental Climate Change Panel has indicated that 1.5°C is a physical limit beyond which Earth’s climate will enter a danger zone of cascading climate tipping points that propel further warming.

“Tackling the climate crisis and preventing global temperatures from rising above the 1.5°C tipping point calls for an all-hands-on-deck approach and substantial investments in carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “I was proud to introduce this legislation to ensure the United States leads the charge in curbing the threats posed by climate change. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill over the finish line to help preserve our planet for generations to come.”

“In order to achieve our climate goals and prevent the most damaging effects of climate change, we need a comprehensive strategy that includes not just emission reductions but also emerging technologies like carbon dioxide removal,” said Congressman Tonko. “With the REMOVE Act, we are taking a coordinated, interagency approach to bolster research, development, and environmental integrity in this critical industry. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Kuster for her leadership on this legislation, and I look forward to supporting this effort in Congress as we continue to take bold steps to address our climate crisis.”

“We are on the clock to address the climate crisis, and advancing innovative carbon dioxide removal technologies is a necessary step toward a clean energy economy,” said Congressman Peters. “Our bill will bolster this nascent and critical industry for our climate future. The REMOVE Act is good for jobs, good for American global leadership, and good for the planet.”

“The REMOVE Act identifies an urgent need for a whole-of-government approach to carbon removal research, development, and demonstration and would leverage expertise across the federal government to advance a diverse range of pathways, from nascent ocean-based pathways to more established forestry solutions,” said Kajsa Hendrickson, Director of Policy at Carbon180.“Accelerating carbon removal development and deployment requires robust policy support, and the integrated government efforts authorized in this bill are a welcome step in the right direction. 

"The reintroduction of the REMOVE Act is a critical step in our fight against climate change. Carbon dioxide removal is essential to meeting our climate goals, as it directly addresses the excess greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, resulting in a more habitable planet for both people and wildlife,” said Dr. Simone H. Stewart, Senior Industrial Policy Specialist at the National Wildlife Federation. “Establishing an interagency group to develop a strategic plan for research, development, and deployment ensures a coordinated and efficient approach, leveraging the expertise and resources of multiple agencies to drive innovation and scale up effective carbon removal solutions." 

“Carbon dioxide removal technologies are a critical element of the portfolio of solutions needed to decarbonize the U.S. economy and meet our climate goals. Yet, more research, development, and demonstration are needed to improve and develop these solutions. The REMOVE Act establishes the all-of-government strategy and approach needed to advance carbon removal technologies and ensure we lead in this sector. Congresswoman Kuster should be commended for her leadership and vision,” said Roger Ullman, Executive Director at LTC Action.

Specifically, the REMOVE Act would:

• Establish a new Committee on Large-Scale Carbon Management, comprised of representatives of OSTP, DOE, USDA, DoD, EPA, and NOAA, to develop a whole of government approach to experiment, prototype, and produce CDR technologies.
• Authorize four working groups under the Committee on Large-Scale Carbon Management to carry out a Carbon Removal Initiative through the research and development of CDR technologies across nine federal agencies and 27 offices.
  • The working groups will focus on carbon removal in the oceans, atmosphere, and land using both natural and technological approaches to ensure all pathways for CDR are rigorously explored.
  • The working groups will coordinate with OMB to augment existing research programs and establish new ones where necessary to deliver commercial-ready CDR innovations. This framework will prevent duplication while facilitating coordination across the federal government. 
• Create an additional working group on carbon accounting to ensure CDR activities are measured, tracked, and accounted for across the Federal Government.

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